Bollywood films to watch out for in 2014

Will this be a year of mega blockbusters, surprise hits, cute romantic comedies or little films with a big heart? From Salman Khan's Jao Ho to Srk's Happy new Year, here’s a list – decide what you want to see right now.

With every new year comes renewed hope of better times. And in the film industry, which is so speculative, hope is what drives everyone and everything.

So what can you look forward to in 2014? Frankly, lots of films! Some movies are eagerly awaited because their trailers or first looks are out, some because of the star cast and technical teams behind them, others because of the talk surrounding them.

The reasons are varied, but the result is the same: high expectations!

Let’s take a look at the films the paying public will wait for with bated breath next year.

Bang BangLike Salman’s Kick, this Hrithik Roshan starrer also seems to be having more than its share of problems. But what are heroes for if not to emerge victorious in the face of adversity? Greek God Roshan, whose medical and personal problems delayed the project, has given bulk dates to complete the film, in which he is paired with Katrina Kaif. It comes out next year.

Action JacksonIt doesn’t matter if Prabhudheva’s last two films, R… Rajkumar and Ramaiya Vastavaiya, did not set the box-office on fire. His films invariably generate a lot of heat at the time of release. And since this will be the first Ajay Devgn starrer to hit the screens in 2014, there is understandably a lot of anticipation.

Singham 2The sequel to the 2012 Devgn blockbuster, Singham, which made everybody who saw the film feel that he had done his bit to fight corruption. This one is being directed by Rohit Shetty.

On Salman's agendaJai HoToday, Salman Khan’s middle name is ‘blockbuster’. Anything he touches seems to turn to gold. And the hungry public has not seen him on the big screen for a year-and-a-half. Naturally, the first trailer of Jai Ho has set the ball rolling, and his fans – and there are many of them – are already rejoicing that Bhai’s next money-spinner is on its way in Republic Day week. Never mind if Republic Day falls on Sunday this year, lending no apparent advantage to the film, Salman’s fans will patronise it with the same gusto as they did his Dabangg, Dabangg 2, Ready, Bodyguard and Ek Tha Tiger.

KickThere may have been a lot of problems in kickstarting this maiden directorial venture of producer Sajid Nadiadwala, but Salman Khan’s name is enough to set the cash registers ringing. Moreover, it is set for release on Eid. And everyone knows what a deadly combination Salman and Eid is!

It’s EntertainmentFarhad-Sajid, the writer duo behind such successes as Chennai Express, Singham, Ready, Golmaal 3, Bol Bachchan and All The Best, have turned directors with this Akshay starrer. Additionally, the movie is produced by Tips; and we all know how well the music company promotes its films. If promotion and marketing is as important as content (and it is today), you have a winning combination!

Welcome BackThere couldn’t be a more appropriate title for a sequel to Welcome. Those who’ve heard the script swear it’s a laugh riot. Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar and Paresh Rawal just might crack again. John Abraham and Shruti Haasan, not part of the first Welcome, have been welcomed in the sequel.

HumshakalsNever mind if Sajid Khan’s Himmatwala was a debacle that could shake anybody’s himmat. The director behind Heyy Babyy, Housefull and Housefull 2 is back with another ‘H’ film. Saif Ali Khan, Riteish Deshmukh and TV superstar Ram Kapoor play triple roles, promising triple the fun.

On Aamir's rosterP.K.In a year in which a Rajkumar Hirani film is due, there can’t be any other movie that will set the adrenaline flowing. And if it stars Aamir Khan, you are bound to be reminded of the runaway success of the duo’s 3 Idiots. The question in film trade circles is simply this: how much bigger and better than 3 Idiots will this exposé on godmen be?

Jagga JasoosAfter Barfi!, how exciting would another Anurag Basu film starring Ranbir Kapoor be? We’re waiting for this detective film with bated breath.

GundayWhat gives this two-hero project an edge is not just the banner, Yash Raj Films, but also its exciting trailer which has become the talk of the trade. Moreover, Ranveer Singh’s last film, Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, has catapulted him into the 100-crore club. Priyanka Chopra and Arjun Kapoor complete the lead cast. PhantomThere are a few directors whose name alone inspires confidence in a film. Kabir Khan is one of them. Plus, Phantom has two saleable leads in Saif Ali Khan and Katrina Kaif.

Daawat-E-IshqAfter Ladies vs Ricky Bahl, Ishaqzaade and Shuddh Desi Romance, Parineeti Chopra has earned a reputation for deliberating and delivering. Thatt’s why the modest budget Daawat-E-Ishq stands out among big-budget extravaganzas. Aditya Roy Kapur, a darling of the female audience after Aashiqui 2 and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, is Chopra’s co-star. It is directed by Habib Faisal (Ishaqzaade and Do Dooni Chaar).

Hasee Toh PhaseeOnce again, Parineeti Chopra and another ‘female fantasy’ hero, Sidharth Malhotra are giving a medium-budget film a bigger buzz. Co-star Adah Sharma, very indulgently, has this to say about the hot star: "On the sets, everybody was only concerned about Sidharth. He is so good-looking that the unit hands just couldn’t take their eyes and minds off him."

Shaadi Ke Side/EffectsSaket Chaudhry’s Pyaar Ke Side/Effects cast its spell on city audiences. He now gets to make a sequel with Farhan Akhtar and Vidya Balan. The film’s trailer is already a hot favourite with many film buffs. Why shouldn’t the new-age film also be so?

2 StatesNot much is known about this film except that it is jointly produced by Karan Johar and Sajid Nadiadwala; jointly directed by Sreerag Nambiar and Abhishek Varman; based on Chetan Bhagat’s novel, 2 States: The Story Of My Marriage; jointly written for the screen by the novelist and Sreerag Nambiar; and stars Arjun Kapoor and Alia Bhatt. Johar, Nadiadwala, Bhagat… that’s enough for film buffs to expect good substance.

Main Tera HeroIt will be pretty interesting to watch Varun Dhawan directed by dad David Dhawan. If the combination brings a smile to your lips, it is as much because you have loved David’s films as it is because of this pairing.

Total SiyapaaThe film does not boast big names on camera or behind it. But its trailer has brought a smile to people’s faces. For a small film like this, it will be enough if the film ends up making people leave the theatre smiling.

HeropantiIf not for other things, simply because this film will introduce Jackie Shroff’s son, Tiger, in the male lead. Now that’s something to watch out for. After all, the guy already has heads turning on the party circuit when he makes an entry.

Mary KomSanjay Leela Bhansali’s film on the Indian boxer should be exciting fare, especially after the stupendous success of Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s film on Milkha ‘Flying Sikh’ Singh, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.Tevar Boney Kapoor returns after a long hiatus, this time with his son, Arjun Kapoor, as hero. A remake of the Telugu blockbuster, Okkadu (2003), the film is being directed by Amit Sharma, whose ad for Google is all the rage right now.

On King Khan's plateHappy New YearThe title says it all. Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone come together once again in Farah Khan’s Happy New Year and the trio expects to repeat the success of Om Shanti Om. The trade, on its part, hopes that the film will live up to its title and indeed make 2014 a very happy new year for the film industry!

FanEvery fan of every star will identify with this story of a fan, which is what Shah Rukh Khan will play in Yash Raj Films’ next. The superstar has described this film, which will roll shortly and release by year-end, as a tribute to his admirers. Obviously, this one is going to be very eagerly awaited.

One By TwoAbhay Deol has barely one or two releases a year, but there is a segment of the audience which waits for his films. One By Two comes out in 2014. He is paired with girlfriend Preeti Desai in this romantic comedy.

HolidayThis action thriller, starring Akshay Kumar, is the remake of Tamil hit Thuppakki. A R Murugadoss (Ghajini) had directed the original and is also calling the shots in the remake.

Of course, this list is not exhaustive because one never knows which film will generate heat at release. A film not even in the reckoning today could just become oven-hot around its time of release because the songs become popular or for any other reason.

From HT Brunch, December 31

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